Munitions

FZ231 rocket launcher

Also known as
  • FZ 231
  • FZ231 (12-tube)
  • FZ231 rocket pod
  • FZ231 70 mm launcher
  • FZ231 2.75-inch launcher
  • FZ231 12-tube rocket pod

The FZ231 is Thales Belgium's reusable 12-tube composite 70 mm rocket launcher for helicopters, with a Launcher Interface Unit distinguishing it from the closely related FZ219. It fires FZ 2.75-inch FFAR and WA rocket motors and is documented on AW109, H145M, and HAL LCH/Prachand aircraft, while public documentation identifies platform integration and firing tests rather than independent battlefield employment of the launcher itself.

FZ231 rocket launcher, Composite 70 mm rocket launcher, Munitions
Image source: FZ231 product image
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Belgium
Type
Composite 70 mm rocket launcher
Designed
1998 composite FZ225/FZ231/FZ233 launcher portfolio

Specifications

Tube count
12
Launcher class
Lightweight composite reusable rocket launcher
Height
361 mm
Width
324 mm
Overall length
1658 mm
Total mass (empty)
31 kg
Firing mode
Ripple / single
Intervallometry
80 ms minimum
Compatible rocket motors
FZ 2.75-inch FFAR and WA rocket motors
Interface
Launcher Interface Unit (LIU)
Optional fit
Removable rear fairing
Variants

Thales Belgium's composite helicopter-launcher family separates tube count and interface fit; the FZ231 is the 12-tube launcher fitted with a Launcher Interface Unit.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
FZ21912-tube launcher without LIU

Thales describes the FZ219 as the same 12-tube composite helicopter-launcher design as the FZ231, but without the Launcher Interface Unit.

Sources: FZ219 official product page, FZ231 official product page

FZ2337-tube lightweight composite launcher

Thales lists the FZ233 as the 7-tube alternative to the FZ231 in H145M rocket-system fits.

Sources: Thales H145M compatibility page

FZ22519-tube lightweight composite launcher

Thales history groups FZ225, FZ231, and FZ233 as a composite launcher portfolio developed and produced for lightweight helicopter carriage.

Sources: Thales Belgium history

Carrier Aircraft

Thales Belgium documents the FZ231 as a helicopter-mounted 12-tube 70 mm rocket launcher, with an existing catalog link for the AW109 family.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
AW-109, Light twin-engine attack and utility helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAW-109Light utility helicopter

Thales Belgium's A109 LUH compatibility page shows AW109-family variants fitted with as many as two FZ231 12-tube lightweight composite launchers.

Sources: A109 LUH compatibility page

Compatible Rockets

The FZ231 is part of Thales Belgium's 2.75-inch / 70 mm FZ rocket system and uses the same launcher ecosystem as related FZ rockets.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
2.75-inch rockets, Unguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, Munitions2.75-inch rockets70 mm rocket family

The FZ231 product page states that the launcher fires FZ 2.75-inch FFAR and WA rocket motors with conventional or remote-set-fuze warheads.

Sources: FZ231 official product page

FZ90 rocket motor, 70 mm wrap-around rocket motor, MunitionsFZ90 rocket motorWA rocket motor

Thales' AW109, H145M, and LCH compatibility pages list FZ90 rocket motors among the rockets carried with FZ231 launcher fits.

Sources: A109 LUH compatibility page, Thales H145M compatibility page, Thales LCH compatibility page

FZ275 LGR, Laser-guided 70 mm rocket, MunitionsFZ275 LGRLaser-guided 70 mm rocket

Thales describes FZ275 LGR as fireable from standard FZ rocket launchers, while dedicated smart launchers add full bidirectional and lock-on-before-launch functions.

Sources: FZ275 official product page

Guided-rocket limit

The FZ231 page supports standard FZ rocket firing; Thales separately identifies FZ606 and FZ800 smart launchers for full FZ275 LGR functionality.

Sources: FZ231 official product page, FZ275 official product page

Launcher Compatibility

Manufacturer and platform documentation describe FZ231 as a helicopter launcher rather than a standalone battlefield weapon. The fits below are platform-integration context; they do not by themselves establish FZ231 direct conflict use.

PlatformFZ231 fitSourced context
AW-109, Light twin-engine attack and utility helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAW109 familyUp to two 12-tube launchersThales lists A109 LUH/LOH variants fitted with FZ231 launchers and FZ90 rockets, with growth potential for FZ275 LGR.
Airbus H145M / EC645 T2Up to two 12-tube launchers, or FZ233 7-tube alternativesAirbus reported H145M HForce development firing in Hungary with Thales FZ231 among the tested weapons; Thales lists the same platform with FZ231 and FZ233 options.
HAL Light Combat Helicopter / PrachandUp to four 12-tube launchersThales lists the HAL LCH with four stub-wing FZ231 launchers, and Defense News later described Prachand stub wings carrying as many as four FZ231 70 mm rocket pods.

Sources: FZ231 official product page; A109 LUH compatibility page; Thales H145M compatibility page; Thales LCH compatibility page; Airbus H145M HForce firing campaign; Defense News Prachand tender report.

Timeline

FZ231 rocket launcher Key Events

  1. FZ enters 70 mm rocket production

    Forges de Zeebrugge began manufacturing complete 2.75-inch / 70 mm rockets under a U.S. Navy license, establishing the rocket family that later launchers such as FZ231 support.

  2. Composite launcher family developed

    Thales Belgium's history identifies development and production of the FZ225, FZ231, and FZ233 composite launcher portfolio for lighter helicopter payloads and improved endurance.

  3. H145M HForce firing campaign

    Airbus reported H145M HForce ballistic testing in Hungary with Thales FZ231 listed for the unguided-rocket element, and Thales separately lists H145M compatibility with two FZ231 launchers.

  4. Prachand tender context

    Defense News reported India's large Prachand light-attack helicopter tender with stub wings described as carrying up to four FZ231 70 mm rocket pods.

Media

FZ231 rocket launcher Images

FZ231 rocket launcher, Composite 70 mm rocket launcher, Munitions - view 1
Source: FZ231 official product page
Related Weapon Systems
Locally manufactured fourteen-tube rocket launcher, Improvised multi-tube rocket launcher, ArtilleryArtilleryLocally manufactured fourteen-tube rocket launcherImprovised multi-tube rocket launcherThe locally manufactured fourteen-tube rocket launcher is a Hamas improvised fixed launch array for salvo firing unguided rockets from concealed Gaza positions. IDF-released April 2024 imagery and Israeli reporting tied the Khan Younis launch posts to rockets fired toward southern Israel, while specialist reporting on Qassam rockets explains the broader use of locally built, manually aimed launch frames rather than standardized military MLRS vehicles.
2.75-inch rockets, Unguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsMunitions2.75-inch rocketsUnguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket familyThe 2.75-inch rocket family covers the U.S. 70 mm unguided aerial rocket line from early FFAR/Mk 4 and Mk 40 rockets through the modern Hydra-70/Mk 66 system. Army and GD-OTS sources describe a modular air-launched rocket used with multiple warheads from fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, while official U.S. military sources document 2.75-inch rocket use from Vietnam and Desert Storm through Iraq, Afghanistan, Operation Inherent Resolve, and U.S. aid to Ukraine.

Sources

FZ231 official product pagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports FZ231 manufacturer background, 12-tube launcher type, reusable composite construction, LIU fit, optional rear fairing, dimensions, empty mass, firing mode, intervallometry, compatible rocket motor families, FZ219 distinction, and image provenance for the official product image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29FZ231 product imagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports image provenance for the official FZ231 launcher image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29A109 LUH compatibility pagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports the AgustaWestland A109 family's FZ231 fit, maximum two-launcher carriage, FZ90 rocket motor context, FZ275 growth-potential note, and image provenance for the A109 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29FZ219 official product pagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports the FZ219 same-design comparison and the distinction that FZ219 lacks the FZ231 Launcher Interface Unit. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Thales Belgium historyPublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports Forges de Zeebrugge/Thales Belgium 70 mm rocket-system background, 1958 licensed 70 mm rocket production, the 1998 FZ225/FZ231/FZ233 composite launcher portfolio, and H145M FZ231/FZ275 test context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Thales H145M compatibility pagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports H145M/EC645 T2 compatibility with up to two FZ231 12-tube launchers or FZ233 7-tube launchers, plus FZ90 and FZ275 rocket context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Airbus H145M HForce firing campaignPublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports H145M HForce development firing at Papa Airbase in Hungary with a tested weapon set that included Thales FZ231, plus official Airbus-hosted firing-campaign media context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Thales LCH compatibility pagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports HAL Light Combat Helicopter compatibility with four stub-wing FZ231 launchers, FZ90 rocket motor context, and FZ275 laser-guided rocket growth potential. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Defense News Prachand tender reportPublisher: Defense News | Note: Supports HAL Prachand tender and armament context, including stub wings described as carrying up to four FZ231 70 mm rocket pods. | Accessed: 2026-06-29FZ275 official product pagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports FZ275 LGR compatibility with standard FZ rocket launchers and the distinction between standard launchers and dedicated FZ606/FZ800 smart launchers for full guided-rocket functionality. | Accessed: 2026-06-29